21-year-old arrested in girlfriend's death

On Sunday, February 9, 2003, at about 3:00 p.m., 21-year-old James C. Fitzhugh walked into Central Precinct and told officers that his girlfriend, 19-year-old Alicia M. Casey, was dead and her body was in their apartment located at 945 Northwest Naito Parkway. Officers went to the apartment and discovered Casey's body. Homicide Detectives were called to the scene and initiated an investigation. Late Sunday night, Detectives arrested Fitzhugh on one count of Murder in connection with Casey's death. Fitzhugh was lodged in the Justice Center Jail and the couple's three-month-old baby was taken into protective custody.

On Monday, February 10, 2003, the Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined the cause of Casey's death was asphyxiation. Investigators believe the homicide may be related to domestic violence; in the past few months, police have responded to other reports of domestic violence at this same location.

Anyone with information in this investigation is asked to call Detective Paul Weatheroy at (503) 823-0458 or Detective Mark Georgioff at (503) 823-0451.